The result may not have gone Dragons’ way on Sunday against Section Paloise in the European Challenge Cup, however it was still a moment to cherish for several players.
Second row Barny Langton-Cryer made his first ever start for the region and there was also a first home game for prop Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths.
Meanwhile, Wales international Elliot Dee continued his return from an injury which ruled him out of last summer's tour with his first start of the season.
Joining him on the comeback trail was centre Harri Ackerman with his first Dragons appearance in almost a year.
The 20-year-old made his debut for Dragons in last year’s European Challenge Cup against Oyannax Rugby however he fractured his tibia and fibula while captaining Wales under 20s against France in the U20 2024 Six Nations.
Ackerman's last Dragons appearance came off the bench against Ulster making it 10 long months of recovery.
“It was really nice to get back out there,” said Ackerman. “It's been a long 9/10 months, and it’s very nice to wear the Dragons jersey, I’m very honoured.”
“I was out for seven months just before with my shoulder. I came back for ten games and did my leg so I’m just hoping to get a few games under my belt.
“I just want to be playing rugby.”
At 20, Ackerman is now too old for Wales Under 20s missing out on eligibility by 10 days with his birthday on December 21.
He earnt his spot back in the Dragons line-up as a result of a string of impressive performance for Newport RFC, including a hat-trick in last weekend’s game against Llandovery.
“Dragons are sending boys out to clubs like Newport to earn the right to play and that’s what we need to be doing,” said Ackerman.
“We need to value this jersey and Newport's been a great help. I love playing there and it is nice play outside Matt O’Brien as well, he’s a good player.
“Going forward I just want to play with Dragons as much as I can, but also playing for Newport just to try and earn that Dragons jersey.
“Playing as much rugby as I can really as that’s the only way I can really improve.”
Having missed both World Cups with the Under 20s due to injury, Ackerman could well be in-line for a first trip to South Africa as Dragons face Emirates Lions in Johannesburg for a place in the knockout stages of Europe.
There he may well be joined once again by Joe Westwood who was a regular teammate at age-grade rugby in the Islwyn district, along with vice-captain Aneurin Owen.
“It's a really young midfield, I think we're all around like 22, and I’m 20,” said Ackerman.
“Westwood and I are both from around the same area, we both try and work off each other, both physical and just trying to build that and play as much games as we can with each other.
“We’re both Islwyn district, both went to Cross Keys and played under eighteens there so hopefully now we’ll play more together at Dragons level and on the biggest stage to show what we can as a partnership.
“With Aneurin [Owen] as well, we can work off each other. He can teach me things, I can try and teach him things and I think it’s a good group of centres, trying to help each other and make each other better.”
